Charles H. Page Collection

On June 10, 1913, Charles Harold Page was born in St. Louis, Missouri, to Charles Cleveland and Maggie Page. Both his parents were from Cheatham County and settled in Montgomery County, Tennessee. The Page Farm, on what is known as Rossview Road, has since been developed into the Page Estates subdivision. A photograph in the collection shows Charles H. Page on the front porch of the Page family home while on military leave ca. 1942-1943.

Harold, as he was known, graduated from Clarksville High School in 1933. He then entered a two-year teaching course of study program at what was then the Austin Peay Normal School. While in college, Page worked part-time at a men's clothing store (Quarles Hughes based on two photographs) in Clarksville. He graduated from Austin Peay Normal School in 1935 and eventually earned a B.S. Degree in History in 1941. Page taught sixth, seventh, and eigth grades at Hackberry School in Montgomery County before becoming a grammar school principle. In addition to teaching, Page dabbled in art. Magazine and newspaper clippings provided inspiration for Page's watercolor and pastel drawings.

During World War II, Page joined the Air Force at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia and completed basic training at Drew Field, Florida. He then was stationed in Waterboro, South Carolina and Kearns, Utah. He ended his service at Camp Chaffee, Arkansas. Page then joined the United States Air Force Reserve on January 9, 1946 and received an honorable discharge on January 8, 1949.

Jessie Irene Page, the unmarried sister of Charles Cleveland Page and aunt of Harold, was referred to as Irene and Auntie. This collection includes cards, letters, and small trinkets owned by Irene. Some of the letters and cards also belonged to Frances Stewart, the daughter of Lula Marie Wilson Stewart and niece of Irene.